Bottle carrier



April 22, 1947. D. McCALLA BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Se t. 24, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 22, 1947.

D. M CALLA BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Sept. 24, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiderziv).

April 22, 1947.

D. M CALLA BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Sept. 24, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet Z5 Patented Apr. 22,1947

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to article carriers for bottles or the like in which the carrier has a collapsed position and an open or carrying position, and it is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrier of this character.

Article carriers for bottles or the like advantageously have two positions or forms, an open or carrying position during which articles may be carried and a collapsed or flat position into which the carrier is placed when not in use. Moreover, it is advantageous for such carriers to open a sufficient amount for articles to be easily placed therein and thereafter to close sufficiently to firmly hold the articles carried. In one well known bottle carrier a pair of pivotally intersecting frames are provided along with a carrying and separator frame between the intersecting frames, the intersecting frames being pivotable to open andcollapsed positions in which positions the frames lie respectively at an angle to each other and substantially parallel to each other. The separator frame and the main frames are arranged to interengage "with each other or are provided with interlinking means to prevent the main frames from opening beyond a predetermined amount. Furthermore, the intersecting frames include bases adapted to receive the weight of the bottles carried in order to effect pivoting of the frames toward each other.- In such well known bottle carriers the bottles may come into contact with each other and the carriers do not make the most effective use of the weight of the bottles being carried to hold them within the carrier. Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide an improved article carrier of the character indicated in which the weight of the articles carried produces a force to effectively hold articles within the carrier. 7

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved article carrier of the character indicated in which the carrier is prevented from opening beyond a predetermined limit. i

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved article carrier of the character indicated in which the articles are securely held in individual compartments.

In carrying out the invention in one form, a collapsible carrier comprising a pair of pivotally intersecting frames is provided together with a separator frame between the intersecting frames. Carrier means are attached to each of the pair of intersecting frames and are adapted to move the frames toward each other when articles are in the carrier. In carrying out the invention in another form, a collapsible carrier comprising a pair of intersecting frames, each of the frames including a base member and a top member, is provided. A separator frame is arranged between the, intersecting frames together with pivot means associated with the intersecting frames at the intersections thereof, whereby the intersecting frames-are adapted to lie substantially parallel to each other in the collapsed position and at an angle with respect to each other in an operative position. Carrier means including link means are connected to the top members of the frames and the bases of the frames are adapted to bear the weight of articles in the carrier, whereby the weight of the articles on the bases and the link means cooperate to urge the intersecting frames toward each other when articles are in the carrier.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should now be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a bottle carrier embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the carrier shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. carrier in its fully open position;

Fig. 4 is a side elevatonal view of one frame of the carrier; 1

2 showing the Fig. 5 is an end view of the frame shown in Fig. 4; V

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of another frame of the carrier;

Fig. '7 is an end view of the frame Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the carrier separator frame;

Fig. 9 is an end view of the frame shown in Fig. 8;

shown in Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of one member of the carrier side frames; I

Fig. 11 is an end view of the member shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of another member of the carrier side frames;

Fig. 13 is an end view of the member shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an end elevational view of the carrier in collapsed form;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged and somewhat exaggerated view of a portion of Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged and somewhat exaggerated view of a portion of Fig. 3;

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view of a modified form of an intersecting frame;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of the carrier side frames; and

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines Iii-I9 of Fig. 18.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the invention is shown embodied in a carrier comprising a pair of pivotally arranged intersecting frames H1 and H, a separator frame i2, side frames I3 and i4, and carrier means including the bail l5 and links l6 and 17, the frames iii and II and the separator frame 52 being pivoted together so that the intersecting frames may be moved to lie substantially parallel to each other in the collapsed position of the carrier and may move to a position at an angle with respect to each other during the filling or carrying positions of the carrier. The side frames i3 and is cooperate with the frames l8 and I! so as to maintain articles within the carrier, and links it and I! cooperate with frames l6 and it to prevent the carrier from opening beyond a predetermined amount.

In Fig. 3 the links '6 and II are shown horizontal, thereby forcing frames it and H to their maximum angular position in which position bottles, for example, (shown in outline) may be placed in the carrier so that the bottles rest upon the bases of the frames it and H. In Figs. 1 and 2 the carrier is shown in the carrying position in which links 16 and i1 have been caused to move upward to an angular position such as would be the case when a person grasps the handle 2c of bail l5 When the weight of the bottles is exerted on the bases of the frames. This effects movement of side frames [3 and i4 into contact with the bottles in the carrier (Fig. 2), thereby securely holding them therewithin.

The frame It] is substantially rectangular in shape (Fig. 6) and includes a base it, a top I9, sides 2| and 22 and separators or spacers 23 and 24. The length of the sides 25 and 22 as well as the length of the base l8 and the top i 9 are such as to form a carrier having the desired carrying capacity. Thus, for example, the lengths of these various members may be chosen so that the resultant carrier accommodates slX ordinary size bottles, the separators 23 and 24' being equally spaced from end members 2| and 22 so as to form three equal divisions. Between the base 18 and .the top I9 the sides 2| and 22 respectively inous with side member 2| through connecting portions 21 and 28', and offset member 25 is continuous with side member 22 through connectingportions 29 and 3!. Connecting portions 27 and 29 are spaced equal distances from the base it, and further are spaced between the base it and the top l9 so that in the completed carrier the frames are so arranged that the bottoms of the bottles are received on the base 18, whereas the top l9 extends around the upper exterior of the bottles (Fig. 2). Connecting portions 28 and 31 are also equally spaced from the base is and are spaced between the base it and connecting portions 28 and 3! for a purpose to be described. The base H3 at each end thereof terminates in substantially semi-circular member 18a which continued forms the sides 2! and 22.

' Frame may be constructed, for example, from any malleable material such as wire, and is bent into the configuration shown including the top 19 and the sides 2i and 22. The separators 23 and 24 are the ends of the piece of wire forming frame If! and are twisted together to form the base 18 as shown, the ends of separators 23 and 24 being attached to top l9 by means of bending therearound as shown, or by means of welding, for example. Thus the frame 10 is constructed of a single piece of wire and referring to Fig. '7, it will be seen that the separators 23 and 24 are bent to extend outwardly from the major plane of frame iii.

The frame H is identical with frame it except that it has been reversed in position. Accordingly, frame H is substantially rectangular in shape and includes the top 32, the base 33, the sides 34 and 35, and the separators or spacers 3 and 37, the lengths of the sides 34 and 35, and the lengths respectively of the top 32 and base 33 being such as to accommodate the desired number of bottles in the completed carrier. The side 34 is provided with an outwardly offset portion 38 continuous with side member 34 through connecting portions 321 and 4|. Similarly, side 35 is provided with an inwardly directed offset portion 52 continuous with the side'35 through connecting portions i3 and 4. The connecting portions 39 and 43 are equally spaced from base 33, and moreover are spaced the same distance from base 33 as the connecting portions 2! and 29 of frame it are spaced from the base it. Connecting portions 4| and 44 are also equally spaced from base 33 and are spaced the same distance from base 33 as the connecting portions 28 and SI of frame H! are spaced from base Hi. Therefore, when frames it] and H are brought into position for assembling, connecting portions 21 and 39 lie adjacent each other, and connecting portions 29 and 43 lie adjacent each other. The base 33 terminates in a substantially semi-circuler member 30 at each end thereof which con-- tinued forms the sides 3 and 35. The separators 3t and 31 are uniformly spaced between side members 34 and 35, and referring to Fig, 5, the separators are also bent so as to extend outwardly from the major plane of frame II. The frame I i may be formed in the same manner as frame iii.

In the completed carrier, the frames it! and H are arranged so as to intersect each other. Since the separators 23 and 24 of frame H], and the separators 35 and 31! of frame H extend between the tops and bases of their respective frames, it is necessary to place one frame within the other before the separators are attached to their respective tops 19 and 32.

When frames It and H are assembled the adjacent connecting portions 21 and 29, and 29 and 43' respectively form a part of the carrier pivot. The remaining part of the pivot is part of separator frame l2 as will now be described. The frame [2 comprises a central triangular portion including the legs 45 and 45 and the base made up of two parts or legs 4? and 48, and two V-shaped portions one of which includes the spacing between eyes 54 and being substantially equal to the distance between connecting portions 2'] and 29. The legs El and 53 include vertically extending portions Sin and 53a which continue to form the eyes 54 and 55 for a pur- 5 :pose to be described. The apex of legs 5| and 49, the apex of legs 45 and 46, and the apex of legs 52 and 53 form the lower spacers between two rows of bottles in a carrier whereas the apex or; legs 46 and 48, the apex of legs 45 and 41, and the twisted portion of frame I2, form the upper spacers of corresponding rows of bottles. The "frame I2 may be formed by bending and twisting a single piece of any malleable material such 'as wire into the configuration shown with the eyes 54 and 55 formed at the ends thereof.

For holding the bottles carried within the carrier framework, the side frames I3 and I4 have been provided, these frames being substantially identical with each other. Side frame I3 is composed of two parts 55 and 51 (Figs. 10-13). The part 53 is a U-shaped structure having a base 58 and ends 59 and El at the ends of which are formed respectively the loops or eyes 52 and 63, the eyes 62 and 63 being of a diameter to easily fit around the connecting portions 4| and 44. The member 57 is a substantially rectangular plate which for example may be light sheet metal upon which any design (not illustrated) may be placed and is provided with the bent-over portions 64 and 65 at the edges thereof, the bentover portion 64 being adapted to surround the base 58 of member 56, and the bent-over portion 65 being adapted to fit around the top I9 of frame ID. The bent-over portion 65 is provided with a pair of cut-out portions 65 and "6! for a purpose to be described.

With the structure as thus far described, the remaining structure and the operation of the carrier may best be understood by a description of the procedure of assembling and by considering the different positions of operation. The first step in assembling the carrier consists of placing the frames It and H within each other so that the connecting portions 21 and 39 lie adjacent each other and the connecting portions 29 and 43 lie adjacent each other. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3,it will be seen that in this position the lower portion of frames I and II extend at an angle with respect to each other and the upper portions thereof also extend at an angle with respect to each other. As has already been indicated, to assemble these frames'together in this manner this step must be carried out before the separators 23 and 24, and 36 and 3'! are attached respectively to the topsil9 and 32." The second step in assembling the carrier consists ofplacing the separator frame l2 in its proper position. This is also carried out before the separators 23, 24 and 36, 31 are connected to their respective tops l9 and 32. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, it will be seen that the spacers 2'4 and 31 pass through the opening defined by legs 46, 48 and 52 of separator frame I2, and the spacers 23 and 36 pass through the opening defined by legs 45, 4'! and 49 of separator frame I2. After frame 42 has been placed in this position, the eyes 54 and 55 which previously have not been formed'are formed around the adjacent portions 2?, 39 and 29, 43. Thereafter the spacere 23, 24 and 35, 3! may be attached to the tops of their respective frames. Since eyes 54 and 55'surround these members relatively loosely, it will be apparent that frames l and I I may pivot relative to each other within the eyes to lie parallel to each other in the collapsed position of the carrier, or at an angle with respect to each other in the extended position. Frames IE! and II do not interfere with each other in their pivotal movements since the offset portions 25 6 and 38, and 26 and 42 are displaced relative to each other, as may be seen in Fig. l.

During the pivotal movements of frames Ill 'and II, it is advantageous that the separator frame I2 remain substantially upright or midway between frames iii and II in order that the articlesmay be placed within the carrier with ease and without having to always manipulate frame I2 to a central position. This may be accomplished by interengaging portions of frame I 2 with portions of the intersecting frames to place frame I2 under a torsional stress. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the leg 53 is in contact with the offset portion 42 since portion 53a extends downwardly from eye 55, and the leg 5I is in contact with the offset portion 25 since portion 5Ia extends downwardly from eye 54. The offset portions 25 and 42 extending on and moving to opposite sides of the center of the carrier, the legs 5I and 53 of frame I2 are moved apart outwardly and consequently have a torsional force placed upon them. Referring to Fig. 15, which shows in an enlarged and exaggerated form how this torsional force is produced, it will be seen that the leg 53 has been forced outwardly from the leg 46 by the offset portion 42. Furthermore, in Fig. 16 it is seen how increasing the angle between the frames Ill and II, such for example as would be the case when articles are being placed therein (Fig. 3), that the leg 53 has had its angularity with respect to leg 46 increased over that shown in Fig. 15 which exemplifies the position of the carrier members in Fig. 2. Bearing in mind that leg 5I is in con tact with offset portion 25 of frame I0, which is at the other'end of the carrier from that shown in Figs. 15 and 16, it will become clear that the frame I2 tends to be distorted by the outward angular movements of legs 5| and 53. This distortion takes place both toward the right and toward the left and hence an erecting force is maintained tending to keep separator frame l2 midway between frames I0 and l I. This erecting force also tends to return frames 55 and II toward each other toward the collapsed position.

In order to form compartments to retain bottles, for example, within the carrier the side frames 43 and M are next attached as shown. The bent-over portion 64 of plate 57 is relatively loosely formed around base 58 of member 55 so i that these members may pivot easily relative to each other. Following this, the loops or eyes 62 and 53 are formed around the connecting portlons 4| and 44. Subsequently the bent-over portion 55 is formed relatively loosely around the top I9 with the output portions fit and 61 fitting around loops formed by separators 23 and 24 where these members join the top I9. Similarly, frame It includes a pair of members 58 and 69. The member 68 includes a pair of loops 'II and 72 formed relatively loosely around the connecting portions 28 and iii. The plate 69 is attached to the member 58 and to the top 32 of frame II in a manner similar to that for members 56 and 51 of'frame I3.

To complete the carrier, the pair of links H is attached to top 32 of frame Ii, and the pair of links it is attached to the top 59 of frame Ill, these links being attached by means of loops adjacent the separators respectively 36, 3? and 23, 24. The other ends of the links have loops l3 and f4 respectively formed therein and the links are of a length so that when these ends are brought together at the center the carrier is opened suiiicientlywide to easily place articles therein, as is 7 shown best in Fig. 3. The loops 13 and 14 at the ends of links l6 and H are formed around the ends of bail IE to which a handle 20 has been attached for carrying purposes.

When it is desired to place bottles within the carrier, the links it and ll are depressed to the horizontal position (Fig. 3) This forces frames l8 and El sumciently far apart to completely open the carrier. In this position the side frames l3 and I4 have their parts turned relative to each other at an angle as shown, and the frame If is in its position of greatest torsion thereby maintaining it in its upright position also as shown. The bottles may now be placed within the carrier with the bases thereof resting upon the bases i8 and 33 respectively of frames l8 and l l. The handle it is then grasped and the carrier is lifted. This moves links [6 and I1 upward to the angular position as shown in Fig. 2, thereby pivoting frames Hi and Il toward each other and raising plates 51 and 69 to come into contact with the bottles (Fig. 2), the mem bers 56 and 58 holding the lower end of plates and 69 so that these plates remain substantially vertical. The bottles are prevented from coming into contact with each other since the various portions of the separator 92 keep the bottles apart centrally of the carrier, and the spacers 23 and 24, and 35 and Si keep the bottles apart within a particular row. The spacers 23, 24 and 36, 3'! extending angularly with respect to each other similarly to frames lb and H each come into contact with the bases of two bottles on one side, and with the upper portions of two bottles on the other side, the bent portions of the spacers as shown in Figs. 7 and 5 bringing them into position where the bases of the bottles are prevented from contacting each other. Accordingly, the bottles are separated both at their bases and at their upper portions on all sides thereof, thereby effectively forming buffers as well as an indi-- vidual compartment for each bottle.

It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that the links l6 and I! prevent the carrier from opening beyond a predetermined amount which may be chosen such that the articles are conveniently placed within the carrier. Furthermore, since the links are connected to the tops 59 and 32 of the frames, and the carrier is carried b virtue of the bail 25 being attached to the links it and II, the weight of the bottles being carried upon the bases l8 and 33 causes the tops is and 32 to be moved together with an increased force to bring plates 5? and 69 into position to hold the bottles within the carrier. Thus the weight of the articles carried is effectively used for maintaining the carrier closed. Moreover, whenever the carrier is placed down it rests upon semi-circular portions i841. and 39 thereby preventing the bottles from contacting the ground and the bases [8 and 33 being thus spaced from the ground are resilient and prevent bottles from hitting a hard surface if dropped into the carrier. Accordingly breakage is substantially eliminated.

When the carrier is not in use and it is desired to place it in some small and out of the way place, it is necessary only that the links it and I? be further depressed from the position shown in Fig. 3. This brings the tops of frames ill and l i toward each other and this is continued until the frames lie substantially parallel to each other as shown in Fig. 14. At this point the bail I5 is lying inside between frames 50 and H.

vWhile the carrier frames Ii! and II have been described as being made from a single piece of wire, for example including the spacers 23 and 24, and 36 and 31 which areattached respectively to tops l9 and 32 by means of loops or welds, it

will be apparent that these frames may be constructed of a number of individual parts such for example as is shown in Fig. 17. In this figure the main portion of a frame I la corresponding to frame H is formed of a piece of wire bent into the proper configuration with the ends thereof brought into juxtaposition and butt welded for example as indicated by the line 18. Then the separators 36a and 31a may be separately formed and attached to the base and top of frame Ila by means of loops or welds. It will also be apparent that the frame Ila together with its separators may be formed from fiat sheet metal stock such as by stamping with the correspond. ing separators 36a and 31a attached thereto by means of welds. Where the frames are complete- 1 closed, as in these instances, it is necessary to form the members 36a and 31a separately in order to be able to assemble the frames together in the carrier.

In Figs. 18 and 19 a modified form of construction is shown which is similar in all respects to that already described except that the plates 5? and 69 instead of being unitary members are formed of two links 75 connecting the members 56 and 53 with the tops of frames l9 and II. In order to close the sides of the carrier, a plate 16 having spring clips 11 attached to its rear face is attached to the links 75 by pushing the spring clips T! thereover.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible carrier comprising a pair of intersecting frames, a flexible separator frame between said intersecting frames, pivot means associated with said frames at the intersection thereof whereby said frames are adapted to lie substantially parallel to each other in a collapsed position and at an angle with respect to each other in an operative position, said flexible separator coacting with one of said frames at one end of said carrier and coacting with the other of said frames at the other end of said carrier to maintain said separator substantially midway between said frames, and carrier means attached to each of said pair of frames.

2. A collapsible carrier comprising a pair of intersecting frames, a flexible separator frame between said intersecting frames, pivot means associated with said frames at the intersections thereof whereby said frames are adapted to lie substantially parallel to each other in the collapsed position and at an angle with respect to each other in an operative position, said pair of frames interacting at each end of said flexible separator to produce torsion therein, thereby to maintain said separator substantially midway between said frames, and carrier means attached to each of said frames.

3. A collapsible carrier comprising a pair of intersecting frames, at flexible separator frame between said intersecting frames, pivot means associated with said frames at the intersections thereof whereby said frames are adapted to lie substantially parallel to each other in the cola lapsed position and at an angle to each other in an operative position, said pair of frames interacting at each end of said flexible separator to produce torsion therein, thereby to maintain said separator substantially midway between said frames, and carrier means including link means attached to each of said frames'for effecting movement thereof toward each other when articles are in said carrier and preventing opening movement thereof beyond a predetermined limit.

4. A collapsible carrier comprising a pair of intersecting frames, said frames being pivotally arranged at the intersections thereof whereby said frames are movable between a collapsed position and an open position, a separator frame between said intersecting frames, a pair of articulated side frames, one of which is connected to both said intersecting frames on one side of said carrier and the other of which is connected to both said intersecting frames on the other side of said carrier, said articulated side frames forming compartments with said intersecting frames and said separator frame in the open position of said carrier and collapsing in the collapsed position of said carrier, and carrier means attached to each of said pair of intersecting frames.

5. A collapsible carrier comprising a pair of intersecting frames, said frames being pivotally arranged at the intersections thereof whereby said frames are adapted to lie substantially parallel to each other in a collapsed position and are adapted to lie at an angle with respect to each other in an article carrying position, a separator frame between said intersecting frames and adapted to remain midway between said intersecting frames, a pair of jointed exterior side frames one of which i pivoted to both said intersecting frames at one side thereof and the other of which is pivoted to both said intersecting frames at the other side thereof, said side frames collapsing to lie substantially parallel to said intersecting frames in the collapsed position of said carrier and moving toan extended position in the open position of said carrier, and carrier means attached to each of said pair of intersecting frames.

6. A collapsible carrier comprising a pair of intersecting frames, each of which includes a pair of spacers extending between the tops and bases thereof, said frames being pivotally arranged at the intersections thereof whereby said frames are adapted to lie substantially parallel to each 10 other in a, collapsed position and are adapted to lie at an angle with respect to each other in an article carrying position, a separator frame between said intersecting frames and being adapted to remain midway between said intersecting frames, a pair of jointed exterior side frames, one of which is pivoted to both said intersecting frames at one side thereof and the other of which is pivoted to both said intersecting frames at the other side thereof, said side frames, said spacers, and said separator frame cooperating to form individual carrying compartments with said intersecting frames, and carrier means attached to each of said pair of intersecting frames.

7. A collapsible carrier comprising a pair of intersecting frames, each of said frames including a resiliently formed base, said frames being pivotally arranged at the intersections thereof, whereby said frames are adapted to lie substantially parallel to each other in a collapsed position and are adapted to lie at an angle with respect to each other in an article carrying position, a separator frame between said intersecting frames, a pair of exterior frames one of which is pivotally attached to both of said intersecting frames on one side of said carrier and the other of which is pivotally attached to both of said intersecting frames on the other side of said carrier, said side frames and said separator frame cooperating with said intersecting frames to form article carrying compartments and said bases being adapted to resiliently support carried articles, and carrier means attached to each of said pair of intersecting frames.

DAVID McGALLA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,347,807 Booth May 2, 1944 593,889 Horn Nov. 16, 1897 1,731,524 Culp Oct. 15, 1929 1,429,675 Burlingame Sept. 19, 1922 2,265,877 Smith Dec, 9, 1941 2,256,451 Hamilton Sept. 16, 1941 2,316,738 Brunhoff Apr. 13, 1943 1,098,797 Hehr June 2, 1914 2,353,846 Power July 18, 1944 2,049,884 Wurster et al Aug. 4, 1936 

